Archive for June, 2015

Air Days Special V-Jet Formation for Vulcan Farewell

Tuesday, June 30th, 2015

Vampires - Yeovilton Air Day

The Avro Vulcan’s final appearance at RNAS Yeovilton Air Day on Saturday 11 July will include a special ‘V-Jet Formation’ flypast. The famed ‘V-Bomber’ will be joined by Naval Aviation Ltd’s de Havilland Sea Vixen and the Norwegian Air Force Historical Flight’s two de Havilland Vampires to present a unique four-ship classic British jets flight. While the Vulcan and Sea Vixen’s joint flypasts were an outstanding highlight of Air Day 2011, the expanded formation will be a unique spectacle with the Sea Vixen leading the Vulcan with a Vampire on each wing.

The Vampire and the Sea Vixen each played a major role in post-war Royal Naval aviation development, the full story of which RNAS Yeovilton has seen unfold over the last 75 years. With its pioneering aircraft carrier landings, the Vampire paved the way for all naval jet operations which followed.

The Sea Vixen was, upon entering service, the Fleet Air Arm’s biggest and heaviest type ship-launched asset. Recalling the times when Sea Vixens were based at RNAS Yeovilton, ‘Foxy Lady’ – the world’s only airworthy example – is a similarly appropriate inclusion. Its current markings are those of 899 Naval Air Squadron, replicating its exact look when based at RNAS Yeovilton during its Fleet Air Arm service days.

The thunderous, iconic Vulcan has participated in the majority of Air Days staged since its return to flight in late 2007. While its Air Day farewell will be a sad occasion for many, this exclusive classic jets link-up will give the Vulcan a magnificent send-off.

Online and phone advance ticket booking deadline is Tuesday 7 July. Tickets are also available over the counter from participating Tourist Information Centres until 5pm Friday 10 July. Further information available at www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday.

Give RAF Museum Project its Chance to Shine

Thursday, June 25th, 2015

The RAF Museum Cosford is appealing for local votes as it strives for nationwide acclaim on BBC One in this year’s National Lottery Awards for its First World War in the Air project.

The project beat off stiff competition from 620 organisations to reach the public voting stage in this year’s National Lottery Awards – the annual search for the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects.

First World War in the Air is competing against six other projects to be crowned the winner of the Best Heritage category. Winners of the seven National Lottery Awards categories will get a £2,000 cash prize, an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy and attend a star-studded Awards ceremony, broadcast on BBC One in September.

The Royal Air Force Museum’s popular First World War in the Air gallery brings to life the compelling stories of the people, innovations, engineering and aircraft of the Great War. 37,000 people have visited the exhibition in the last six months, with thousands more accessing information on the Museum’s websites.

Maggie Appleton, Chief Executive of the RAF Museum, says:

“We’re delighted to have reached the finals of The National Lottery Awards. National Lottery money has really helped us to engage thousands of people with the story of the First World War in the Air. It’s easy to vote, so we’re hoping people will support us as it would be a fantastic reward for everyone involved in the project – our staff, volunteers and local community – to receive national recognition for their hard work.”

TV star and actor John Barrowman will be presenting the National Lottery Awards for the fifth time this year. He says:

“The exceptionally selfless work carried out by National Lottery Awards finalists never fails to astound me. Their work deserves to be celebrated nationally; the community spirit, social cohesion and compassion.”

“It is crucial that you show your support for your local project so it can get the national glory that it richly deserves. National Lottery players should swell with pride that £34 million of Lottery funding is raised every single week for projects like this across the UK.”

To vote for First World War in the Air, please go to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards or telephone 0844 836 9670 and follow the campaign on twitter: hashtag #NLAwards. Voting closes at midnight on Monday 29 July.

There are seven projects competing for votes across seven categories, reflecting the main areas of National Lottery funding: arts, sport, heritage, health, environment, education and voluntary/charity.

M6 road trip for Cosford VC10

Monday, June 22nd, 2015

VC10 RAF Museum Cosford

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is pleased to announce that its latest acquisition, VC10 serial number XR808 has now arrived at Cosford, following a final road trip along the M6 motorway.

After a successful eight month dismantling process carried out by GJD Services, a specialist maintenance and aircraftsalvage company based at Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire, the VC10 finallyarrived at Cosford on Sunday 21 June.

The 93ft long fuselage departedfrom Bruntingthorpe early on the Sunday morningand arrived at Cosford shortly after 1.00pm. Transported on a low loaderlorry, the route saw the aircraft pass along the M69, M6 and the M54 to Cosford, via the nearby village of Shifnal. Too large to pass under the railway bridge at Cosford, the fuselage made its way to Junction 4 on the M54 and through Shifnal, with some tricky manoeuvring en route, before heading onto the airfield at RAF Cosford.

SqnLdr Chris Wilson, Media, Communication and Co-ordination Officer at RAF Cosford said:
“Having flown on VC10s throughout my career I’ve been looking forward to seeing this one arrive at RAF Cosford. The VC10 has been an iconic RAF aircraft for so many decades that it seems fitting that XR808 finally comes to rest at the RAF Museum at the end of its exemplary service. RAF Cosford is the Home of RAF Engineering so it is apt that the VC10 comes to our airfield to be rebuilt prior to going on permanent display at the Museum.”

The VC10 wings and tail plane will be transported on 28 June and work will then commence on the rebuild. Throughout July a team of engineers from GJD Services will unload the aircraft, position and trestle the inner wings before attaching them to the fuselage. Early August the aircraft will transfer from the RAF Cosford airfield to the Museum site for the final reassembly, which will take place directly outside the Museum’s Hangar 1.

Once on the Museum’s site, the wings will be rebuilt and the rear fuselage section attached. By late September the team anticipates to be fitting the fin and tail plane ready to install the engines, nacelles and outer wings. The final finishing touches of refitting the access panels and a little paint work touch up will be carried out late October before the fully reassembled VC10 is moved into its final position next to the Lockheed Hercules C130K Mk3, where the aircraft will go on public display.

Gary Spoors, Accountable/Engineering Manager at GJD Services said:
“When GJD were asked to move XR808 on behalf of the RAF Museum we were very keen to take on the challenge; to play our part in preserving this icon of British Engineering. Whist we were fully aware of the scope of the challenge presented to us, it has tested our engineering skills. Working as a team we have come up with some innovative solutions to problems as they arose, all of which we have overcome. Personally, I have a great affiliation with the VC10, having worked on the type throughout various stages of my career and I wanted to ensure that XR808 was dismantled and moved with care and precision. We chose to reverse engineer the aircraft, de-riveting the various section, wing, fin, tail and back end, in order to avoid any cuts which we felt would compromise the integrity and beauty of the aircraft. An enormous effort has gone into the dismantling of XR808 and we are very pleased with progress the GJD team has made so far. We are looking forward to the next phase and seeing XR808 complete in her new home.”

The VC10was a British aircraft originallybuilt by Vickers-Armstrong and then later by the British Aircraft Corporation and entered service with Royal Air Force in 1966. This dual-role aircraft enabled the rapid deployment of troops and their weaponry and fast jet aircraft to many theatres of operations around the world. With the ability to carry up to 124 troops at a time with nine crew members or a freight load of up to 20,400kgs the VC10 has been one of the RAF’s most significant assets for nearly 50 years.The RAF VC10’s allowed true global mobility offering a combination of speed and range never previously attained by an RAF Transport Command aircraft type.

Ian Thirsk, Head of Collections at the RAF Museum said:
“The BAC VC-10 formed the mainstay of the RAF’s long range strategic transport force for almost fifty years. For one aircraft type to have been in service for such a long period is remarkable in itself. However, when this is added to the variety of roles and worldwide scope of operations, it is clear this is a unique aircraft and it would not be possible to accurately portray the history of the RAF without an example of the type – therefore it is essential that such a pivotal and long serving aircraft is preserved by the RAF Museum.”

Darren Priday, Conservation Centre Manager at the RAF Museum said:
“I completed two tours on VC10’s during my RAF career, totalling 6½ years on type, so I am looking forward to being reacquainted with an old friend. Renown for being a troop carrier the VC10 also excelled in other roles – carrying freight, aero-med, VIP duties and air-to-air refuelling. ‘BOB’, will be a great addition to the RAF Museum Cosford site.”

For further information about the Museum, please visit the Museum website www.rafmuseum.org or call 01902 376200. The Museum is open daily from 10am and entry to the Museum is FREE of charge.

Flypasts honour Armed Forces Day guests

Sunday, June 21st, 2015

BBMF Dakota

Date: 27 June 2015

Time: 11.00am – 2.30pm

Cost: FREE (Veterans and their guests must pre-register)

Flypast: Dakota 2.15pm (weather permitting)

               Vulcan time TBC (weather permitting)

On Saturday 27 June, events across the country will celebrate the contributions made by Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. The annual Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to reflect and pay tribute to our heroes past and present, including current serving personnel, service families, veterans and cadets.

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will once again participate in this annual event by hosting veterans from all three services. During this special reunion, Veterans will be treated to a full day’s programme of activities. There will be free refreshments for guests, on arrival at 11.00am, followed by a short presentation. For lunch, veterans will have the rare opportunity of dining amongst the aircraft and artefacts on display in the Museum’s Hangar 1.

During the afternoon, guests will be treated to musical performances from The Jays, a 1940s Singing Quintet who love nothing more than resurrecting the wonderful hits of the Second World War made famous by The Andrews Sisters and The Glenn Miller Orchestra. Their toe tapping, memory jogging 1940s vocal harmonies will have Armed Forces Day Guests singing along to every song.

A highlight of the day will be a spectacular flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota, scheduled for 2.15pm (weather permitting) and the world’s last flying Vulcan bomber (time TBC).

Abi Betteridge, RAF Museum Cosford Public Events Manager said:

“It is an honour for the RAF Museum to be able to host so many Veterans and Serving Personnel on Armed Forces Day. We have a fantastic day planned for guests and having two spectacular flypasts scheduled is a real treat for our guests and all visitors to the Museum. Spaces to the event are limited and we are already over half subscribed so we would advise anyone wanting to be part of the day to book soon.”

All-in-all this promises to be an exciting day which will enable Veterans to meet up with old friends, reminisce over shared experiences, and enjoy themselves in the authentic atmosphere and setting of the Royal Air Force Museum. The day will conclude at 2.30pm where guests are free to wander round the Museum.

Attendance to the event is free of charge and by advance registration only. Any Veterans who would like to attend the event, are asked to book their place now by calling 01902 376 200 or for more information visit www.rafmuseum.org/cosford. Parking for Armed Forces Day guests is also free.

Rare Fighter and Worlds First Civil Tiltrotor Join Air Days Anniversary Celebrations

Thursday, June 18th, 2015

AW609 tiltrotor

Aircraft illustrating RNAS Yeovilton’s earliest days and Anglo-Italian helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland’s hi-tech future will underline Air Day’s two main anniversary themes. Separated by decades of history, each type will have a starring role in Air Day’s five-plus hour flying display on Saturday 11 July.

Exactly 75 years ago, on 18 June 1940, RNAS Yeovilton was commissioned as HMS Heron. Hawker Sea Hurricanes were among the first aircraft to be subsequently based here and a very rare surviving example is set to take part in the flying display at Air Day. The Shuttleworth Collection’s Hawker Sea Hurricane 1b Z7015 was built in 1939 and equipped the Royal Navy’s 801 and 880 Naval Air Squadrons between 1941 and 1942. Both of these squadrons were based at RNAS Yeovilton during that same period, making Z7015 a very likely former resident. Its involvement in Air Day will represent a homecoming for one of the UK’s display scene’s most cherished warbirds. Besides the Sea Hurricane, other historic fixed wing naval aircraft helping Air Day celebrate RNAS Yeovilton’s past 75 years include the Avro XIX, Swordfish, Seafire, Sea Fury, Sea Vixen, Phantom and Sea Harrier.

AgustaWestland was founded in 1915 as the Westland Aircraft Works and thus celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2015. The firm’s state-of-the-art AW609 TiltRotor will perform for the very first time in the UK at a public military airshow as part of Air Day’s AgustaWestland centenary line-up: a real Air Day coup. The AW609, the world’s first civil tiltrotor aircraft, can hover like a helicopter and fly as fast and high as a fixed wing turboprop aircraft due to its tilting rotors and is set to revolutionise the rotorcraft market..

Additional AgustaWestland anniversary participants will include preserved examples of the Wasp, Scout, Sioux, Whirlwind and Gazelle, plus QinetiQ’s A109E research helicopter. Air Day will also offer one last opportunity to see the Westland-built Sea King helicopter’s Commando and search and rescue variants in action over RNAS Yeovilton before their forthcoming retirement.

A full list of participants, further information and discounted advance tickets are available from www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday

Royal Air Force Museum secures National Lottery Investment for RAF Centenary Programme

Thursday, June 18th, 2015

HLF

The Royal Air Force Museum is delighted to announce that it has been awarded £4.89million* from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for its RAF Centenary Programme – The First 100 Years.

2018 will mark the centenary of the RAF and will be an occasion of national celebration and commemoration. As the oldest and longest serving air force in the world, the RAF has affected the lives of millions, driven technological innovations, pushed the boundaries of human achievement and become part of the UK’s cultural identity.

As custodians of the RAF story, the Museum is planning an ambitious programme of activities and events for the summer of 2018. Having opened, the HLF funded ‘First World War in the Air’, in December 2014, the Museum now aims to deliver the next phase of work, which will tell the story of the first 100 years of the RAF by sharing the experiences of its service men and women and international partners.

The HLF support will act as a significant contribution towards the Museum’s fundraising campaign for its RAF Centenary Programme with the HLF development grant award of £404,100 enabling the Museum to progress its plans developing designs for new exhibitions ahead of a full £4.89million grant application.*

The Museum’s plans include a re-landscaping of its London site with a view to enhancing the visitor experience and celebrating its heritage as the cradle of British aviation. Under the HLF funded project there will also be a new visitor centre with a café, shop, soft play area and community spaces. A currently derelict 1930s RAF supply building will be transformed into a new restaurant.

A series of new permanent exhibitions will open in the summer of 2018. ‘The First 100 Years of the RAF’ and ‘Now and the Future’ exhibitions will enable visitors to understand the story of the RAF from its earliest years in the First World War to its global role today.

The Museum is also rolling out a new digital programme, “My RAF Story”, which will collect and share personal stories of the men and women of the Service to ensure they are preserved for future generations.

A new learning programme will aim to inspire young people in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects. Additionally, new apprenticeships and volunteering activities will help the Museum conserve and display more of the incredible 1.2 million objects within its collection representing the national memory of the RAF at work and play, war and peace.

Further planned phases of the RAF Centenary Programme will bring to life the stories of the London Aerodrome and RAF Hendon – from which the first airmail, parachute jump, night flight and aerial defence of a city took place. It will evoke memories of being a major centre of First World War aircraft production and later playing a role in the Battle of Britain.

Maggie Appleton, CEO of the Royal Air Force Museum, said: “I’d like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund on behalf of all our staff and Trustees for the generous support they have given us – we could not be happier! The story of the RAF is one of bravery, ingenuity and dedication which echoes within all our lives and will endure and enrich future generations. We are very excited to be given the opportunity to tell this story through the Museum’s collections and the voices of the individual men and women who served in the RAF and whose lives have been influenced by it.”

Sir Peter Luff, Chair of HLF, said: “The foundation of the Royal Air Force is one of the most significant legacies of the First World War. It’s wonderful that National Lottery players have made it possible to mark the RAF’s centenary so fittingly. I’m sure they will enjoy the museum’s outstanding collections of aviation technology combined with the extraordinary stories and courage of the men and women who have served in the RAF over those one hundred years.”

www.rafmuseum.org

Last Flying Blenheim to Make Free Airshow Debut at Airbourne

Wednesday, June 17th, 2015

Bristol Blenheim

The only flying Bristol Blenheim bomber in the world is set to make its free air show debut this August, when it displays for the seafront crowds at Airbourne: Eastbourne International Air Show.

The recently restored WW2 bomber, which flew its first public display in May, is yet to display for fans at a free airshow. It will join the Belgian NH90 helicopter and the Norwegian MiG-15 jet, all new attractions to Airbourne, in a truly international line-up.

The free four day airshow which returns from 13 – 16 August, has added the new attractions to its packed flying programme which already includes the final display season of the Vulcan bomber, plus the Typhoon, Chinook and RAF Red Arrows display teams.

The Blenheim’s first display will be on Super Saturday on 15 August, a 12 hour extravaganza of flying, ground displays and twilight pyro-aerobatics, plus live music on the beach from chart-toppers Scouting for Girls and Saturday night fireworks at 10pm.

Eastbourne Borough Council Lead Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Enterprise, Cllr Margaret Bannister said “The Blenheim will be an awesome addition to Airbourne and a wonderful tribute to those who flew during World War Two. Along with our first ever MiG and the NH90, it’s fantastic to see Airbourne attracting teams from Norway, France and Belgium, bringing a spectacular international programme to the show.”

The only flying Blenheim in the world, it took 12 years and 28,000 man hours to rebuild, and played a major part in WW2, scoring the first combat victory of any aircraft using its own radar. Its joins an impressive historic line up which also features a Norwegian Vampire duo, Kittyhawk, Jet Provost, Bulldog, Spitfire, Mustang and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, with a four-ship formation from the Lancaster, Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota.

A new star attraction for the show, the MiG-15, was originally developed by the Soviet Union, and became one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, playing a major part in the Korean War.

It joins the brand new Hawk T2 duo display, The Rv8tors, Breitling Wingwalkers, Royal Navy Sea King, Tutor, The Tigers Parachute Display team and French team Patrouille Reva.

The Blades return in their 10th anniversary year to display for the crowds, along with a special prize of an aerobatic flight and hospitality for two at their home base at Sywell Aerodrome. The prize is available to win in the Airbourne lottery, with tickets costing £1, 30% of proceeds will go to charity and 70% to fund flying displays at the show. Tickets are available now at the Tourist Information Centre, Seafront Office and at the show.

The four day show also features plenty of fun on the ground, including a military exhibition, children’s entertainment areas, helicopter pleasure flights and evening concerts at the Bandstand, including Big Band Night on Thursday and the legendary pop-punk princess Toyah, on Friday.

The Airbourne Live stage on the beach will feature music throughout each day and into the early evening, with a wide variety of acts to be announced over the coming weeks.

Airbourne: Eastbourne International Air Show returns from 13 – 16 August 2015 and entry is free.

The flying display is part funded from public donations each year at Airbourne, thanks to contributions by Sussex residents David Dickens and Brian Bunce and the collections organised by Marco and Cathy Giorgi and the Rotary Clubs of Sovereign Harbour and Hailsham, with 30% of the proceeds also passed onto local charities.

To beat the crowds, there are exclusive seating areas available at the Bandstand at £12 per person, and exclusive hospitality available on the Western Lawns from £75 per person (including vat), ideal for special occasions or entertaining clients.

With thousands attending over the four days, Airbourne offers great trade space opportunities from just £163 per day, when attending all four days.

For more information or to book online visit www.eastbourneairshow.com, or email events@eastbourne.gov.uk, or telephone 01323 415442.

On your marks, get set… SCRAMBLE!

Wednesday, June 17th, 2015

Spitfire 10K RunDate: Sunday 6th September 2015

Time: 9.00 am

Location: RAF Museum London

Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain in style with this brand new event starting and finishing in the magnificent surroundings of the RAF Museum in North West London.

There will be an onsite warm up session conducted in 1940’s period style. The race begins in the shadow of one of the RAF Spitfires and takes you on a special journey, including a section through the Bomber Hangar and around the iconic Lancaster, before leaving the Museum for two loops of a flat road course. Your finish will be commemorated with an exclusive Spitfire medal.

Entrants are also welcome to run in period costume

Entry form: http://www.nice-work.org.uk/assets/Spitfire%2010k%202015%20Entry%20Form.pdf

Avro Vulcan B.Mk2 XM655 Night Shoot at Wellesbourne

Tuesday, June 16th, 2015

Vulcan at Wellesbourne

Avro Vulcan XM655 was third from last of the Vulcan bombers produced for the Royal Air Force, being delivered in late 1964, and was part of the UK’s nuclear deterrent force throughout the 1960s and 1970s. It is now owned by Wellesbourne Airfield, and is looked after by 655 Maintenance and Preservation Society (655MaPS) which is a volunteer organisation of Vulcan enthusiasts. XM655 is one of only two Vulcans remaining in ground running condition, the only one with the most powerful of the engine variants, the Bristol Olympus 301s. The aim of 655MaPS is to keep this fine example of British engineering in running condition for as long as possible and to raise much needed funds by showing her off to the adoring public on a regular basis with ‘fast taxi runs’.

2014 marked the 50th anniversary of XM655 entering service with the RAF and the 30th anniversary of her landing at her then new home of Wellesbourne Airfield. Our first event on the 15th of November 2014 was part of the celebrations to mark these milestones and saw just under a hundred photographers gather to capture some very special images. So successful was our first event that we have been invited back in October 2015.

Our event on the 24th of October 2015 will start at 15.00 with a welcome address from the Chairman of 655MaPS, Charles Brimson. Shortly after this we will start our photography taking advantage of the late Autumn afternoon light. There will be various cameos set up for you to enjoy, these will include ‘Cold War’ Re-Enactors that will be playing the parts of Ground Crew and Airman. The Society have some wonderful equipment that will also be at our disposal such as a genuine tug, towing arm and of course the all important payload loaded in the bomb bay (we are assured that these are models and not the real thing…). XM655 will be positioned on the taxiway directly in front of where she normally lives, this will afford us the luxury of a clear backdrop. After dark we will be lighting XM655 and will continue the theme of recreating cameos that represent those everyday scenes that were once commonplace on RAF Bases around the UK. To ensure you don’t miss any of the action there will be hot food and drinks available for you to enjoy (at extra cost) all evening just off to the side of where the photography will happen. The photography is due to finish around 20.00 with XM655 set in a full state of ‘ready to depart’, all her lights on and ground crew giving her pilot directions from the taxi way.

We hope many of you will wish to join us again or for the first time, so we therefore look forward to seeing you on the day.

Event cost £50.00 per person, or £40.00 per person for 655MaPS members. Members please contact Avril on membership@xm655.com to get your ‘one time use’ discount code. Discounts can only be applied at the point of purchase and we are unable to apply discounts retrospectively.

For more information on XM655 and how you can support the Society or become a member of 655MaPS please click this link to their homepage, www.xm655.com

Farewell display for Vulcan at Wings and Wheels

Tuesday, June 16th, 2015

Gnat & Vulcan by Tony Hart

Fans of the Vulcan XH558 won’t want to miss this year’s Wings & Wheels as she performs an emotional farewell on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August. Retiring at the end of the 2015 display season, the Vulcan to the Sky’s Avro Vulcan is the last airworthy Vulcan and only flying example of the country’s powerful V-Force.

The Vulcan team will be working especially hard to make summer 2015 a memorable flying season for every Vulcan enthusiast across the country following the difficult decision to ground the iconic aircraft.

Having evaluated a great many factors, the three expert companies on whom the Vulcan to the Sky’s Trust depend – known as the ‘technical authorities’ – have together decided to cease their support at the end of this flying season. Without that support, under Civil Aviation Authority regulations, the Vulcan is prohibited from flying.

At the heart of their decision are two factors. First, although the XH558 is currently as safe as any aircraft flying today, her structure and systems are already more than ten percent beyond the flying hours of any other Vulcan, so knowing where to look for any possible failure is becoming more difficult and impossible to predict with any accuracy.

Second, maintaining her superb safety record requires expertise that is increasingly difficult to find. Specialists are currently brought out of retirement specifically to work on XH558; a solution that is increasingly impractical as the necessary skills become distant in their collective memories. The Trust has also been made aware that the skills issue is particularly acute as the Vulcans engines age and will require a considerable amount of additional (and costly) inspection and assessment.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “We have a rich aviation history at Dunsfold Aerodrome and the Vulcan was part of that in the 1950s. It’s only fitting that this magnificent aircraft will be at Wings & Wheels one last time in what will be an emotional and sad farewell display.”

Whilst it is the end of her flying career, it is not the end of the Vulcan XH558. Plans are underway for The Vulcan Aviation Academy and Heritage Centre at Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster Sheffield (ex RAF Finningley) in South Yorkshire. Even on the ground, XH558 is fascinating and exciting and in her new life she will still able to accelerate dramatically along the runway.

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the world famous Red Arrows, RAF Eurofighter Typhoon, RAF Eurofighter Typhoon & Spitfire (Synchro Pair), RAF Hawk T2 demo, Chinook, The Blades and a host of other modern and historic aircraft during the five hour flying displays. For four and two wheeled fans, supercars and classic and vintage icons put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum, and over in our Wheels Zone you can expect an array of interactive and static displays.

The show also includes over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, 2 bars, hospitality facilities, free on-site parking, public camping, lost children point, disabled access, informative show commentary, opportunities to meet the pilots, official show merchandise and grandstand seating.

The 11th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend, Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August 2015, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £22 for adults or £50 for a family. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £7. Children under 5 go free. Hospitality packages start from £150 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2015 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.